System for controlling earthworking implement

ABSTRACT

A system for controlling an earthworking implement having a plurality of orientations is provided. The earthworking implement is operable in a plurality of orientations. The earthworking implement is removably attached to a track-type tractor that includes a blade support member. The system includes four independently operable hydraulic cylinders where one end of each hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the earthworking implement and other end attached to the blade support member. Further, each of the hydraulic cylinders is adapted to control the orientations of the earthworking implement with respect to the blade support member. A blade support member includes a first end and a second end. Further, the first end is pivotally attached to a center portion of the earthworking implement, and the second end is attached to the main frame.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a system for controlling an earthworking implement for multiple orientations.

BACKGROUND

Machines such as track-type tractors includes an implement to carryout various operations such as dumping, levelling, mining and the like. The implement is mounted to a main frame by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes support members to hold the implement and multiple hydraulic actuators for operating the implement. Typically, the arrangement includes separate hydraulic actuators for every orientation of the implement such as angle, pitch, tilt and the like. Such an arrangement makes the track-type tractor bulky and further requires counterbalance for operation. This leads to low performance and control of the implement. Also, this increases the complexity of the mounting assembly and operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,682 hereinafter referred as the '682 patent, describes an apparatus for controlling an earthworking implement. The earthworking implement is movably attached to a track-type tractor having a main frame and a track roller frame. The track roller frame is located on a left and a right side of the main frame. The apparatus includes a c-frame attached to inner portions of the track roller frame at positions toward a forward portion of the track-type tractor. The apparatus also includes four independently operable hydraulic cylinders attached to one of the main frame and the c-frame. Each of the hydraulic cylinders has a head end located toward the attachment to one of the main frame and the c-frame, and a rod end located substantially vertically upwards of the head end. The apparatus also includes an earthworking blade attached to each of the rod ends of the hydraulic cylinders and to the c-frame. The implement system of the '682 patent sets forth an implement actuation and control system to address the complexities of controlling movement along four degrees of freedom relative to the implement. However, a more simplified system which addresses three degrees of movement of the implement not including lift would be desirable, providing more durable components and more simplified controls.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for controlling an earthworking implement is provided. The earthworking implement is operable in a plurality of orientations. The earthworking implement is removably attached to a track-type tractor that includes a main frame. The system includes a blade support member. The blade support member includes a first end and a second end. Further, the first end is pivotally attached to a center portion of the earthworking implement, and the second end is rigidly attached to the main frame. The system includes four independently operable hydraulic cylinders where one end of each hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the earthworking implement and other end attached to the blade support member. Further, each of the hydraulic cylinders is adapted to control the orientations of the earthworking implement with respect to the blade support member.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a lower portion of a track-type tractor having an earthworking implement coupled to a frame of the track-type tractor by means of a mounting system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a front portion of the track-type tractor of FIG. 1, illustrating the earthworking implement coupled to hydraulic cylinders, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates operation of hydraulic cylinders of FIG. 2 to control pitch orientation of the earthworking implement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates operation of hydraulic cylinders of FIG. 2 to control angle orientation of the earthworking implement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates operation of hydraulic cylinders of FIG. 2 to control angle orientation of the earthworking implement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates operation of hydraulic cylinders of FIG. 2 to control angle orientation of the earthworking implement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a lower portion of a track-type tractor 100. The track-type tractor 100 includes a main frame 102 and an earthworking implement 104 coupled to the main frame 102. The track-type tractor 100 may include a power source (not shown), for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel powered engine such as a natural gas engine or any other type of engine apparent to one of skill in the art. The power supplied by the power source may be used for propelling the track-type tractor 100 by means of tracks 106. Further the power source may supply power for the working of various components such as the earthworking implement 104, valves, electrical equipment and the like.

In the present embodiment, the main frame 102 of the track-type tractor 100 includes a blade support member 126 rigidly coupled to the main frame 102. The blade support member 126 includes a first end 128, and a second end 130. The first end 128 of the blade support member 126 is pivotally attached to a center portion 132 (shown in FIG. 4) of the earthworking implement 104 proximate to a bottom portion 124. The first end 128 of the blade support member 126 is coupled to the earthworking implement 104 such that the first end 128 is positioned above the third and fourth rod ends 114R and 116R. The second end 130 of the blade support member 126 is rigidly attached to the main frame 102 (not shown). In an example, a first axis 134, a second axis 135 and a third axis 136 define the geometry of the track-type tractor 100 such that they are perpendicular to each other. Further, the axes 134, 135 and 136 have an origin at the first end 128. The first axis 134 extends laterally along the earthworking implement 104 and passes through the first end 128 of the blade support member 126. The second axis 135 passes horizontally along the lateral direction of the track-type tractor 100. The third axis 136 passes vertically through the first end 128 of the blade support member 126 as shown.

In the present embodiment, the blade support member 126 includes a mounting system 108. The mounting system 108 is configured to manoeuver the earthworking implement 104. Further, the mounting system 108 couples the earthworking implement 104 to the blade support member 126. The mounting system 108 includes a first hydraulic cylinder 110, a second hydraulic cylinder 112 (shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6), a third hydraulic cylinder 114 and a fourth hydraulic cylinder 116 (shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6). The first, second, third and fourth hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 114, 116 couple the earthworking implement 104 to the blade support member 126 by spherical joints 118 as shown. When the track-type tractor 100 is viewed from a front end 120, the first and third hydraulic cylinders 110, 114 are coupled proximate to a left end 121 of the earthworking implement 104 and the blade support member 126. When the track-type tractor 100 is viewed from the front end 120, the second and the fourth hydraulic cylinders 112, 116 are coupled proximate to a right end 123 of the earthworking implement 104 and the blade support member 126.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 114, 116 has a head end 110H, 112H, 114H, and 116H that is coupled to the main frame 102. In addition, each of the hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 114, 116 has a rod end 110R, 112R, 114R, 116R that is coupled to the earthworking implement 104. The rod ends 110R, 112R of the first and second hydraulic cylinder 110, 112 are coupled to a top portion 122 of the earthworking implement 104. The rod ends 114R, 116R of the third and fourth hydraulic cylinder 114, 116 are coupled to the bottom portion 124 of the earthworking implement 104.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first and second hydraulic cylinder 110, 112 are relatively angled with the third and fourth hydraulic cylinder 114, 116. The hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, and 114, and 116 are angled to form a shape of an alphabet “A” when viewed from sideways. The hydraulic cylinder 110, 112, 114, and 116 may receive power from the power source via a pump or motor (not shown). The hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 114, and 116 may be controlled by a control unit (not shown) which may in turn be operated by an operator. The hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 114, and 116 operate together to control the orientations of the earthworking implement 104, which will now be described in detail.

In an example, the bottom portion 124 of the track-type tractor 100 initially rests on the ground. The first end 126 of the blade support member 126 is coupled to the earthworking implement 104 When the track-type tractor 100 needs to carry load on the earthworking implement 104, the operator executes pitching operation of the earthworking implement 104, the rod ends 110R and 112R of the first and second hydraulic cylinders 110, 112 are directed outwards. Further, the rod ends 114R and 116R of the third and fourth hydraulic cylinders 114, 116 are directed inwards. The earthworking implement 104 rotates about the first end 128 of the blade support member 126 about the first axis 134 shown in FIG. 3.

In an example, referring to FIG. 4, when the track-type tractor 100 needs to tilt the earthworking implement 104 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front end 120. The rod ends of diagonally opposite the hydraulic cylinders, for example the rod ends 110R, 116R of the first and fourth hydraulic cylinders 110, 116 is directed inwards. Simultaneously, the rod ends 112R, 114R of the remaining hydraulic cylinders 112 and 114 are directed outwards as shown in FIG. 4. Further, the earthworking implement 104 turns about the first end 128 of the earthworking implement 104 along the second axis 135. Further, the rod ends 110R, 112R, 116R of the first, second and fourth hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 116 are directed outwards. Similarly, for tilting the earthworking implement 104 in a counter-clockwise direction the rod end 112R and 114R of the second and third hydraulic cylinders 112, 114 are directed inwards and the rod ends 110R and 116R are directed outwards.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the track-type tractor 100 may need to angle the earthworking implement 104 such that the left end 121 is distal and the right end 123 is proximate to the main frame 102. Simultaneously, the rod end 110R and 114R of the first and the third hydraulic cylinders 110, 114 are directed outwards. Further, the rod ends 112R, 116R of the second and fourth hydraulic cylinders 112, 116 are directed inwards. The earthworking implement 104 rotates about the third axis 136 of the earthworking implement 104 as shown. Similarly, when the track-type tractor 100 needs to angle the earthworking implement 104 such that the right end 123 is distal and the left end 121 is proximate to the main frame 102, the rod ends 112R, 116R are directed outwards and the rod ends 110R, 114 are directed inwards. Therefore, the mounting system 108 provides angle, tilt, and pitch movement of the implement 104 from four cylinders 110, 112, 114, 116.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure relates to a system 100 of controlling the earthworking implement 104. The present mounting system 108 enables the earthworking implement 104 to move through an angle, the implement 104 may also tilt and pitch. By facilitating three degrees of freedom of movement of the implement, the mounting system 108 is more compact and is easier to control compared to four degree of movement systems which contemplate implement lift. Further, the compactness of the mounting system 108 also helps to place the connection between the blade support member 126 and the earthworking implement 104 closer to the main frame 102 which eliminates the need of any counterbalance. The compactness of the mounting system 108 also enables the hydraulic cylinders, 110, 112, 114, 116 to put higher force per cylinder thereby enhances the accuracy of control, the durability of the components, and the performance of the track-type tractor 100. The accuracy of control of the earthworking implement 104 further enables variable pitching of the earthworking implement 104. The mounting system 108 is also easy to operate and cost effective.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

1. A system for controlling an earthworking implement operable in a plurality of orientations, the earthworking implement removably attached to a track-type tractor having a main frame , the system comprising: a blade support member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is pivotally attached to a center portion of the earthworking implement, and the second end is rigidly attached to the main frame, and four independently operable hydraulic cylinders, one end of each hydraulic cylinder pivotally attached to the earthworking implement and other end attached to the blade support member wherein each of the hydraulic cylinders are adapted to control orientations of the earthworking implement with respect to the blade support member. 